Research & Writing

"Framing Refugees: Ethics, Representation, and Humanitarian Imagery in French NGOs" (2025)

Abstract :

This study examines how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in
France visually represent refugees and migrants, and how these representations reflect, resist, or reinterpret dominant narratives in humanitarian communication.

Through a qualitative, comparative case study of six organizations, Médecins Sans Frontières, the French Red Cross, France Terre d’Asile, SOS Méditerranée, Amnesty International France, and UNHCR France, the study analyzes publicly available photographs, visual policies, and ethical guidelines. It applies theoretical frameworks from framing theory, post-humanitarian communication, and ethical humanitarianism to interpret how NGOs construct meaning, negotiate visibility, and navigate the ethics of image-making.

The research observes a sector-wide shift away from traditional “shock-effect” images of
suffering toward more carefully curated visual strategies that emphasize resilience,
anonymity, and professional care. While these approaches align with internal values and sectoral norms, they also raise concerns about abstraction, invisibilization, and emotional disengagement. The thesis further compares NGO visuals to those found in French mainstream media, showing how NGOs both respond to and differentiate themselves from dominant visual tropes, particularly around victimhood, threat, and crisis.

In addition to analyzing visual content, the study examines how ethical policies are developed and applied in practice, and explores how audience and donor perceptions influence visual choices. While legal considerations, such as privacy protections and consent obligations, play a role, the thesis argues that meaningful ethical representation goes beyond compliance. Instead, it calls for the development of shared ethical frameworks that emphasize reflexivity, inclusivity, and participatory storytelling.

By situating its analysis within the specific political, cultural, and historical context of
France, where migration is highly contested and visual representation is deeply politicized, this research contributes a grounded and practice-based perspective to academic and professional debates. It offers insights into how humanitarian actors navigate ethical tensions in visual communication, and highlights the need for sector-wide dialogue on representation that centers not only institutional values but also the agency and dignity of those depicted.

This study advances the understanding of visual ethics in humanitarian communication and opens space for future research on NGO communication strategies, audience perception, and alternative representational practices in refugee advocacy.

To read the full thesis, feel free to contact me.